ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium, standing for Andhra Cricket Association–Visakhapatnam District Cricket Association Cricket Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, primarily used for international cricket. It is set amid scenic hills on the city’s outskirts and is the home ground of the Andhra cricket team.
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Quick Facts
| Location | Pothinamallayya Palem, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh |
| Established | 2003 |
| Capacity | Reported between approximately 25,000 and 38,000 |
| Owner/Operator | Andhra Cricket Association / Visakhapatnam District Cricket Association |
| First ODI | 2005, India vs Pakistan |
| Name changes | Renamed for Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy in 2009; reverted to ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in March 2025 |
History
The stadium was established in 2003 and hosted its first international match, the second ODI of a series between India and Pakistan, in 2005 — a high-scoring contest in which MS Dhoni made 148 as India chased down a big target. In September 2009, the Andhra Cricket Association’s executive committee renamed the venue after Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh; the name reverted to ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in March 2025.
The stadium was designed with a two-tier layout free of pillars or columns, ensuring unobstructed sightlines for spectators throughout. Due to water scarcity affecting Maharashtra during the 2016 IPL season, both Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants used Visakhapatnam as a temporary home venue, playing three matches each there.
Notable Events
- 2016 – Visakhapatnam hosts matches in all three international formats within the same year, with India winning fixtures against Sri Lanka (T20I), New Zealand (ODI), and England (Test).
- 2018 – Virat Kohli becomes the fastest player to 10,000 ODI runs, achieving the milestone in his 205th innings during a match against West Indies at this venue.
- 2019 – Rohit Sharma scores centuries in both innings of a Test, including a Test-record 13 sixes in the second innings.
- 2019 – Mayank Agarwal converts his maiden Test century into a double century (215), the highest individual Test score recorded at the venue.
- 2024–2025 – The stadium serves as a home venue for IPL franchise Delhi Capitals.
Records: ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium
- Highest ODI total: 387, India vs West Indies (2019).
- Highest individual ODI score: Rohit Sharma, 159 vs West Indies (2019).
- Highest individual Test score: Mayank Agarwal, 215.
- The pitch is generally regarded as batter-friendly and hard, though it can assist spinners, particularly under lights when dew becomes a factor.
Facilities
The venue’s two ends are the Vizzy End and D. V. Subba Rao End (also referenced as Pavilion End and North Block End in some sources).
Access
ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium is located in Pothinamallayya Palem on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam, set against a backdrop of hills that give the ground much of its scenic character.
Related Stadiums
- Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad — the primary international venue for the neighbouring Telangana region.
- M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru — another leading South Zone cricket ground.
- Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram — a fellow relatively new South Indian venue.
- MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai — a historic South Zone Test venue.
This article is written in a Wikipedia-style format for reference and general information purposes.
